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Nuggets-Suns Preview

Mar 1, 2010 - 2:02 AM By MATT BROWN STATS Editor

Denver (39-19) at Phoenix (37-23), 9:00 p.m. EDT

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns don't lose consecutive games very often, but one of them will Monday night.

Based on their recent history in Phoenix, the Nuggets face a tough task trying to avoid that fate.

The Suns look to put a disheartening defeat behind them and continue their home dominance of the Nuggets as the Western Conference powers face each other in the desert.

Phoenix (37-24) has put on an offensive clinic while beating Denver (39-20) nine straight times at home since a 111-96 loss April 7, 2004, averaging 120.0 points and shooting 50.7 percent from the field in those wins.

The Suns were also impressive offensively Sunday at San Antonio - that is, until the final minute. Amare Stoudemire had a season-high 41 points with 12 rebounds and Jason Richardson added 20 points, but Richardson blew a potential game-tying dunk on a breakaway with 41.8 seconds left. Phoenix fell 113-110, snapping a five-game winning streak.

"I don't like to miss dunks, especially in crunch time like that, but it's one of those things that happens," said Richardson, a two-time NBA slam dunk contest champion. "You can't do anything about it."

Steve Nash chipped in 18 points and 11 assists for Phoenix, but he lost his balance and couldn't get a 3-point attempt off in the closing seconds. The defeat cooled a Suns team that had won 11 of its previous 13, improving to 14 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2007-08 season. Phoenix has not dropped consecutive games since falling at Utah and to Charlotte at home Jan. 25 and 26.

It's been even longer since Denver lost two in a row. The Nuggets are 19-8 since a season-high three-game skid Dec. 25-28, but they fell 95-89 on Sunday at the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nuggets were held to 37 second-half points and shot a season-low 35.9 percent overall. Carmelo Anthony led Denver with a modest 21 points before fouling out with 2:13 to play.

At least the Nuggets won't have to wait long for their next crack at a legitimate title contender.

"Toward the end of the season, you need games like this to start firing you up toward a playoff type of consistency," coach George Karl said. "I think with teams that have won championships and have been there more consistently, there's more confidence to be able to turn the switch on."

The Lakers may be the defending champions, but both Karl's club and the Suns have certainly been consistent winners. Phoenix (.669) and Denver (.599) rank third and seventh in the NBA in winning percentage since the start of the 2004-05 season.

These teams have split two meetings in Colorado this season, with the Suns losing 105-99 on Dec. 12 and winning 109-97 on Feb. 3. Anthony's 32-point effort in December stands as the highest-scoring individual performance in the season series.

Anthony, who didn't play in last month's matchup due to an ankle injury that caused him to miss eight games, is averaging 25.0 points in his career versus Phoenix.